Lincoln Continues to Forge its Own Way with New Entry Luxury Sedan

Lincoln has an image problem. We know it, Ford knows it. Shaking its rep for being little more than tarted-up Fords for old folks isn't going to happen overnight. But if the 2013 Lincoln MKZ set to hit the stand at the 2012 New York auto show is any indication, it looks as though things are finally starting to move in the right direction for the storied American luxury brand.

We were fans of the strikingly attractive MKZ concept that debuted at the 2012 Detroit auto show, and thankfully not much has changed for the production model, which brings the car more in line with the recent styling updates to the Lincoln MKS and MKT (memo to Lincoln, while you're reinventing yourself, you may want to rethink the MK thing). Out front, the 2013 MKZ begins with Lincoln's revamped split-wing chrome grille and angular headlights, which form a V-shape ahead of a hood adorned with numerous strakes and folds.

The MKZ's overall shape goes the four-door coupe route similar in scope to cars like the Audi A7 and Mercedes CLS-Class, with its raked windshield, gently sloping rear window, and fat C-pillar. A curved character line runs from the headlight to taillight, bisecting the door handles and breaking up the MKZ's tall doors. Out back, the concave trunklid is highlighted by a prominent integrated spoiler, and a full-width bank of LED taillights does illumination duty.

Other neat design elements include mounting the exterior mirrors to the door, allowing for slightly larger front windows, and its signature new panoramic glass roof. The 15.2 square-foot glass panel can slide back dramatically to create a large roof opening. Lincoln also says the glass reportedly provides the same protection from harmful rays as SPF 100 sunscreen. It's the kind of feature Lincoln needs to help set apart the MKZ from the 2013 Ford Fusion, with which the Lincoln shares its basic platform. Dimensionally, 2013 MKZ is 4.3-inches longer overall (194.1 in.) with a 4.7-inch longer wheelbase (112.1 in.), just over 3-inches wider (83.3 in.), and a little over an inch higher (58.2 in.). Lincoln says the new MKZ is also 10 percent more aerodynamic overall than the outgoing car.

Equally important to redoing the outside was revamping the MKZ's interior, which also closely resembles the handsome and understated design of the Detroit concept car. High-grade leather is standard, and real metal and wood trim adorns the steering wheel, door panels, and edges of the dashboard. The center stack is headed by an 8-inch color screen for the MyLincoln Touch interface that sweeps down into an almost totally flat center console with several concealed storage compartments. There's a small opening behind the center stack, a design cue also found on modern Volvos.

Another interesting touch is the MKZ's gear selector, which features five push buttons on the left-hand edge of the center stack, along with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Rather than traditional gauges, the instrument cluster is a 10.1-inch color screen that displays an analog-look tachometer and speedometer, and is separated by a display for information including navigation and vehicle info.Standard on the 2013 MKZ is a system called Active Noise Cancelation, which works like noise-canceling headphones to reduce unpleasant sounds inside the cabin. Lincoln says it should make the car feel even more quiet and insulated. Other standard features include heated front seats, remote start, and an 11-speaker audio system. The options list will include a 700-watt, 14-speaker sound system and seat belts with built-in airbags for rear passengers.

Powering the 2013 MKZ will be a trio of options making their way under the hood of several Ford offerings. The turbocharged EcoBoost 2.0-liter inline-four with 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque is the base engine and should return 22/33 mpg city/highway in front- drive configuration. The upgrade engine is a 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 300 hp and 277 lb-ft, replacing the 263-hp 3.5-liter V-6 in the current MKZ. It should return 18/26 mpg with all-wheel drive--increases of 1 mpg city/highway compared to the all-wheel-drive 2012 MKZ. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic.

The MKZ hybrid will use a 2.0-liter inline-four engine combined with an electric motor-generator. Peak power from both sources is 188 hp, while the gas engine alone makes 141 hp. The hybrid comes only with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. It is predicted to be even more economical than the current MKZ hybrid, which returns 41/36 mpg. The hybrid model is expected sometime later in the model year.

When underway, MKZ drivers can pick from three modes using Lincoln Drive Control, which has Normal, Comfort, and Sport options. Each mode alters settings for the electric power steering, engine and transmission, Active Noise Cancellation, and stability control. It also influences the Continuously Controlled Damping adaptive suspension. Set to become a signature Lincoln technology, the suspension automatically adjusts up to 500 times per second to provide the best compromise possible between sporty handling and a compliant ride.Lincoln already introduced the Lane Keeping System on the MKS and MKT, and the camera-based safety technology has also been added to the 2013 MKZ. It provides Lane Keeping Alert, which vibrates the steering wheel if the driver leaves the current lane without signaling; and Lane Keeping Aid, which uses the electric power steering to keep the car in its current lane. The Driver Alert System provides chimes and warnings if it thinks the driver is tired.

While it's way too early to say whether the 2013 MKZ will help reverse Lincoln's fortunes, on paper at least it looks to be a strong entrant in its segment, with a number of unique features and design touches that should help distinguish it from the Ford sibling. In an effort to further differentiate itself, Lincoln is working to redefine its dealership experience. In order to create a more hospitable, personal feel for customers, dealer employees will be trained at the Lincoln Academy by concierge association Les Clefs d'Or to help deliver "world-class customer service." It's an approach that could help make Lincoln a more glamorous brand once again associated with true luxury. But first, it must make the cars worth a visit to the dealership, and it starts with the 2013 MKZ.

If Lincoln is looking to reinvent itself, this is not the car that will do it. Yes, its nice looking, yes it \has a huge glass roof and It really doesn't look like its ford ancestry. It also isn't as radical a change as the CTS were for Caddilac. It's not innovative enough.

It's hybrid is nice but make it a fast hybrid like a v6 or turbo hybrid. The suspension has nothing over Caddy's magnetic ride. Like I said its nice but not great. The need something that will set them apart like the early 6o's slab side Conti's did.... they were a work of art then and now. Having this in the same commercial as the exquisite original Continental only makes it look even less special..... And BTW Lincoln loses the damn MK moniker. My parents had Lincolns I've had them. They were always longer, lower, wider, faster, smoother, more everything than the many Cadillac of the same time... Make it that way again.

I think the exterior and interior of this car are both very classy. People who only have negative things to say are so obviously biased it makes their comments irrelevant. . This car would turn heads although looks is subjective. I am sure I could find something I do not like about this car as I could EVERY car. To say all negative comments is not being objective. I saw this car on display in a mall and I was really impressed with the interior and exterior. I like the exterior much more than the Cadillac or Acura. Lincolns are very reliable cars and are usually ranked in reliability above Lexus and Cadillac. I like the direction Lincoln has been going over the last 5 years and I wish the company well.

They also had a weak window track device, in the winter the windows would freeze close and when you used the remote down button it would detach the track device from the window making the window inoperative (cost $$$$ to repair if you didn't have the extended core warranty). I'm not impressed with the 2013 MKZ. I still love the Ford Jaguar suspension on my '05 LS V8, I don't believe the 2013 suspension ride comes even close the suspension performance level the LS V8 has, period.

I still own my 2005 LS V8 with 53,735 miles to date Apr 06, 2012 and after viewing the 2013 interior, I only like the location of the cup holders, the dash is way to plain, no RPM tachometer? Front and rear seats basically look the same as '05 so nothing new here for body comfort. Oh, excuse me, the headrest are different, larger sun roof opening (might create too much wind noise). Standard tires with non-classy rims. the one feature Lincoln should have done to spice up the rear, have both exhaust outlets centered like the newer Corvette and Porsche (provides better protection from road salt mix during winter). Relocate rear plate just above center. I feel the rear fender design, looks just like the Volvo. Finally, I hope Lincoln fixed their weak door latch mechanism (during winter season the door latches always freezes open after opening them in freezing rain and fails to close until the interior is hot enough to unfreeze the door latch mechanism). They also had a weak window track device, in the winter the

I really like it. We have a 2011 MKX with the 3.7L and AWD and it is plenty speedy. I'm looking forward to test driving it.I have one complaint, and its a BIG one, so please pay attention Ford.PAINT THE WHOLE CAR!There is simply no excuse for a luxury car to have lame-O plastic around the cool chromed exhaust tubes. The car looks cheap EVERY SINGLE TIME they don't paint it all.I can tolerate it on a Mustang, 'cause it's supposed to be putting all your $$$ into the engine, but NOT on a Lincoln.When will they ever learn that the PAINT is the second most important part of the car, after the engine.

@jimmytheg (and others who think like him): I have $45-50,000 to spend on a car and I *DO* want the best gas mileage, consequently, the 2013 MKZ Hybrid is on my shopping list. It's not just about how much money *I* can save on fuel, it's my way of doing the patriotic thing: helping to reduce our country's reliance on foreign oil. I believe the majority of people who buy hybrids do it because of the technology and love of country. My current vehicle is a '07 Camry Hybrid and I LOVE it! After averaging 36 MPG per tank (and 40+ on individual trips), I find it impossible to buy anything that doesn't do as well in a mid-size or larger car. I get so tired of people telling me that I am not getting my money's worth. Well, what are *THEY* doing? If you can't afford the hybrid for reasons other than for personal gain, then stop yapping at those of us who can.

@insidertrading.Great point about a smaller car, and that's on the way. Lincoln has said that it's developing vehicles on a smaller platform than the one the MKZ rides, but this car "is" on the next generation Mondeo platform. It should handle circles around the current MKZ. @jimmythehegThere are a few things that do justify the price differential over the Fusion. The availability of a 300 hp V6 is one. The substantially better materials in the interior, and the new "lincoln" only adaptive ride control, the sliding glass roof, etc., etc. are others, --those things may not be enough to persuade a "real" enthusiast from a M3 or a C AMG, but they're certainly different enough to justify the price over a Fusion for the average buyer. Again, lincoln is trying to sell more cars, and IMO this car will do it. I wouldn't be surprised to see a high performance version of this car in a few months.

Great looking car, but it still looks large and NOT very youthful. This will not reduce the average age of ownership by much. This is still more a competitor for the Lexus ES than for the 3-Series or C-Class. Ford has so many smaller platforms it can use, like the ones that under-pin the current Mondeo and Volvo S60. Lincoln really needs a car that size to compete with the 3-Series, C-Class and upcoming ATS. Until then, this will make a good alternative to the ES350

Well where to start, I like the console "flying arch" look in the lighter color, not so much in dark hue. Front view is a disaster yet again, the whole real view is all wrong. The rear overhang seems squashed, and the 3/4 reminds me of the dreaded "Bangle butt" BMWs of a few years ago. Also rearview seems a mix of Honda crosstour, with Dodge Charger light panel. A very small step for Lincoln but not nearly enough to compete on the price point vs the Germans. I see present day Lincoln going head to head with Acura, Buick, and Hyundai. A huge step to meet BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Cadillac. Lets hope this stop gap car can help keep Lincoln alive long enough for some real offerings to hit the market.

Design-wise, a huge improvement. Looks like Lincoln is slowly getting its own identity and is looking less and less as a dressed-up Ford. Interesting touch on the transmission design. Nice interior. Great rear re-design. Now if only the front could be changed as well, not not look like a marine creature.

Any reason to pay a minimum $10K premium over the Fusion? And I'll say it again, and again. If you have $45-$50k to plunk down on a car, you don't care about gas mileage. If you do care about gas mileage (and the price therefor) you shouldn't drop $50k on an asset that depreciates by 50% in 3 years (do the math).With that in mind, why couldn't Lincoln really do something different, and engineer a smokin' hot 4.0 liter v-8 for this? Or, gulp...a turbo v-8? Nope. we're going to get a weak, overworked 2.0 I-4, pushing around two tons of flab. anyone want to wager on the average life expectancy of a weak-ass little engine like that? (a nice little call-back to depreciation).

This car is a substantial step in the right direction. It doesn't put Lincoln where it ultimately needs to be, but nobody at Ford is suffering under the delusion that it does. It's the first of many new models to come. This car will sell, and I think it will sell well. I know looks are subjective, but I find it much more distinctive and attractive than anything in its class. I'll have to drive one to see whether it's competitive on that front, but it will be on my short list of future cars. Bravo Lincoln... now, about that RWD flagship...

I've said this all along. FoMoCo didn't kill off Mercury, they killed off Lincoln and just put the Lincoln name on what should be Mercury's. The old Mercury was just a Ford with a different option package. The new Mercury with a Lincoln plate is a different car than Ford using the same parts. Lincoln needs to be exclusive with little to no shared parts with Ford. Many will say that is to cost prohibited, but Cadillac is doing it.

alright cool they made it finally differentiate from a fusion you real luxury materials in it and so on. but the front end is just weird theres no way around it. the thing looks cool elsewehere but the front just kills. besides the ATS is way ahead in this department in terms of styling technology and importantly for a true luxury car performance. front wheel drive is front wheel drive people who drive lexus' might come over (but theyre lame anyway) wont mind the front wheel drive, everyone else though...

Never been a fan of push button trans - that screams cheap to me. The rear end looks rediculous - almost inbred-like. So far, the only sedans that can pull off the coupe shape is the original CC and original CLS. I hope this fad soon fades away....The inside looks nice though - sans the cheap push button deal...I really like the center stack/console treatment too. A very different approach than Caddy has design wise, but I still think the Caddy pulls theirs off better. This looks like it's trying a little too hard.Still, better than anything japan has to offer though

kego53- The ATS and new CTS are just about to hit the market, so perhaps you should wait just a bit longer until you give Caddy bad remarks, and to add to that the CTS has been decades ahead of anything Lincoln for quite some time now. As for this MKZ, it's the first lincoln that has caught my eye since the LS, and the powertrains are finally going to be competitive for the price point. On paper, the turbo 4 and 3.7 liter 6 are perfect to match against the Audi A4's and 328i's of the world; however, I just hope the performance will be less Buick and more TL and G37 like. Test drives and road tests will determine that soon enough. So far so good.

Chrysler had push buttons that worked in the 50s and 60s. The govt. supposedly mandated all auto shifters in the floor or on the column. Has the govt. changed their minds on this issue?Any way, this appears to be a great effort on Lincoln's behalf. This makes every current Caddy look like the bull frog designs that they are. The interior is way ahead of Cadillac also.

I would call this an excellent effort, overall. The only thing that bugs me is that there is a 6-spd to start instead of an 8-spd.As for the RWD debate, most people don't care. To snowbelt people like myself, AWD is a much more desired option for the average person. Frankly, I prefer a good AWD car, especially if it is RWD biased or symetrical. I believe Lincoln's is FWD biased.I think the biggest debate is whether the exterior looks good. If you get too cohesive, a car looks boring. If you get too unbalanced, it looks sloppy. I think it is a good looking car, but I am sure if I will think so a few years from now. I think about how much a car like the Sonata has diminished in my eyes and I wonder if the MKZ will be the same. I don't love it but I think it is handsome. On the other hand, I love the interior. I would call that best in class judging solely on photos. I didn't think something would best the 300 Luxury for a while. Reality could change that.

Lincoln needs a car that somebody, ANYBODY, will come in and BUY!You guys need to stop looking for reasons to hate. 90% of buyers couldn't care less if it's AWD, FWD, or RWD. They just want a good luxury car. It looks like Lincoln may actually have one.You guys need to stop shopping for Haterade.....BD

I don't really think that Ford should use the 3.7L V-6 in this car. They need to develop a 3.0 ecoboost engine, similar to Audi and BMW. AWD isn't a bad idea, but they need to make sure it is a good AWD system, Quattro and SH-AWD definately sets the bar high. The last thing that they need to do is to segregate themselves more Ford and come out with a real car that carries their design language and shows that they can still make a great car. If Hyundai can do it then so can you Ford.

Well, it certainly looks nothing like the Fusion. Now it just looks weird. At some angles it's a gorgeous car, but at other angles it looks like it's not one cohesive design. For example, what's with the rear of this car? The trunk sits entirely too high. It's awkward looking.

I think this will be a big hit for Lincoln ...But the more important thing here is the long term picture: Lincoln needs a very strong selling car in this class ....it doesn't have to be the standard bearer for Lincoln ... it has to sell enough for Lincoln to be able to get to that point where they can build their standard bearer ... hopefully some RWD 2-door or 4-door coupe type Mark series, etc.I do in fact believe that Lincoln has a RWD platform in the works based on the 2014 Mustang .... I believe we will see that car in 2014/15.

PS:There is almost no orginality in design these days- almost every car reminds you of SOMETHING else. The MKZ is hardly the only new vehicle to debut that may remind people of something else. Lets be realistic. Also, someone mentioned the SHO- that car is larger and weighs well over 2 tons. This will be a smaller, lighter, more nimble package on a new platform. Not everyone wants a 4300lb AWD sports sedan.

PS:There is almost no orginality in design these days- almost every car reminds you of SOMETHING else. The MKZ is hardly the only new vehicle to debut that may remind people of something else. Lets be realistic. Also, someone mentioned the SHO- that car is larger and weighs well over 2 tons. This will be a smaller, lighter, more nimble package on a new platform. Not everyone wants a 4300lb AWD sports sedan.

This is going to be the most direct competitor for the ES250. It looks similar, has similar dimensions and offers a V6 and hybrid model just like the upcoming 2013 ES. Interior is very nice on this car. Its bound to sell a lot better than the current one. This should be a fast car with the V6.

The front and rear seem disconnected and non cohesive to me. It also looks kinda bloated....I dunno...I would sway more towards a Buick Regal than this simply from a design standpoint. I am reticent on whether or not it would match up with other Luxo brands for now.

@marshknute I agree with you. I see Lincoln as basically a Buick competitor. Its not up to par with the other luxury auto makers. This new MKZ is nice, but its still not a good enough leap ahead for me to see and consider them a competitor.

The stated wheelbase (112.1') is an inch shorter than the Taurus, which is not very big compared to the 120" Chrysler, let alone the large cars with 135"+. Bottom line...a luxury car should have decent legroom for rear seat passengers...a short wheelbase like this may not do it, especially one of the biggest criticisms of the Taurus is the cramped interior. Too bad.

I don't see how they are "Forging their own way." They simply have taken pieces from other brands, mixed it with their own ideas and called it a day. The exterior is meh at best looks too busy without much design. And WTF is with that rear pillar? Was this supposed to be a hatch at one point?The best point is that the interior is actually really nice, too bad the last MKZ wasn't that bad actually. So Lincoln now has what might be the best interior inside of a car that is just meh.I shouldn't be complaining I guess, I finally get my 3.7 in a midsized, even if it is in the MKZ.

About time this car separated its self from the Fusion. The larger size means the next gen MKS has to be good to survive. What Lincoln needs to do now is use the the Next Gen Mustang platform, and develop a small compact rwd sedan.

@marshknute Ford already did that 12yrs ago with the Lincoln LS. Motor Trend named it COTY in 2000. It had everything you wanted: base model with a stick and near 50/50 weight balance for better handling. Its no longer available because Ford didn't put forth the marketing that Cadillac did with the CTS. But the platform still lives on today as the current Jaguar XF.

So what if the floating iP stack was taken in the Ford-Volvo split?! The Linc deserved a parting gift/party favor! Seems as though a handsome car was created due to the divorce. Also, the basic profile looks a little Rapide to me. It looks better going than it does coming, but if the SHO's Eco-boost 6 makes it into this car, it will make the rear shine even more!

For modern Lincoln, it's great. For a modern car, there's an air of Dodge Dart about the rear. The shape is almost hatch-like, and the long light bar isn't doing any favors. It's as though it mixed Audi A7 cues with Cadillac CTS Wagon/DTS concept/A4 Sedan (the sharp C-ish,D-ish pillar area), then the light bar. I just don't understand. Kudos on breaking away a little from what Lincoln has been since the mid 2000's, but we do indeed need proper rear-drive runners. LS is a good example of what to do, but do well. Cadillac learned with the Catera, moved up with the CTS, and now they're making what they're making.

This time I am going to turn all the noise off. Aint gonna pay no mind to the haters. Bravo Lincoln. Put me down on your income and cash flow statement. Moving on up to the East Side... took a whole lot of trying, just to get up that hill. Now we're up in the big leagues getting our turn at bat...There ain't nothing wrong with that!